Diagnostic Code 6502 · 38 CFR §4.97
A deviated nasal septum is a condition where the thin wall between your nasal passages is shifted to one side, making one nasal passage smaller than the other. This can cause difficulty breathing through the nose, frequent nosebleeds, facial pain, and loud breathing during sleep. Veterans commonly develop this condition from nasal injuries during training, combat, sports, or accidents during service. Surgery to correct it (septoplasty) may or may not fully resolve the symptoms.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | |
| 0% |
Service medical records documenting the nasal injury or surgery, CT scan of the sinuses showing the deviation, ENT examination documenting the percentage of nasal obstruction on each side, Records of any septoplasty surgery and whether symptoms persisted afterward, Documentation of ongoing symptoms — difficulty breathing, nosebleeds, headaches